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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press